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Over the last few day I have received a number of calls around the Covid19 wage subsidy. I had 4 calls this morning, 1 from an employer and 3 from employees. The employer question was standard and answered easily enough. The employees questions were similar in nature. One had been told that they … View moreOver the last few day I have received a number of calls around the Covid19 wage subsidy. I had 4 calls this morning, 1 from an employer and 3 from employees. The employer question was standard and answered easily enough. The employees questions were similar in nature. One had been told that they would be paid for 3 days but were expected to work for the whole week. 2 had been told they would be paid for the next couple of weeks but would then likely be let go. The first employee is required to be paid a minimum of 80% of his wages, the second 2 should technically work for the next 12 weeks because that's what's expected, that's what the subsidy is for. I have cut and past below the obligations of an employer. I recommend every one goes to the covid19 website for full information. Remember an employer must make their best efforts to retain staff they have claimed the money for. improper claims may result in fraud charges, also you could be required to pay back any money you have received if you haven't used it properly.
Employer obligations
The subsidy is being administered under a high trust model and employers will not be asked for verification before the subsidy is approved. However MSD will have the ability to check applications and verify information at a later date. Where false or misleading information has been provided, employers can be subject to fraud investigation.
To receive the COVID-19 Wage Subsidy, the employer must agree:
that they meet the following subsidy eligibility criteria:
the business is registered and operating in New Zealand
their business has experienced a minimum 30% decline in actual or predicted revenue over the period of a month when compared to the same month last year (or a reasonably equivalent month for a business operating less than a year) and that revenue loss is attributable to the COVID-19 outbreak
they have taken active steps to mitigate the financial impact of COVID-19 on their business activities
the employer will make best endeavours to retain the named employees and pay them a minimum of 80% of their normal wages or salary for the duration of the subsidy
the employer has discussed the application with the named employees, who consent to the information in the application:
being provided to MSD; and
being used by MSD, and shared with other agencies, to make decisions about the application, and to review and audit any subsidy granted
the employer consents to the information in the application being verified with other agencies
the employer is aware that they may be audited, and if they provide false or misleading information, they may be investigated for fraud
the employer will notify if circumstances change that affect their eligibility
the employer will repay any amount to which they are not entitled
Waste collection services update:
✅ Auckland’s kerbside rubbish, recycling and food scraps collections are considered essential services and will continue as usual.
🤧 Anyone with a food scraps bin should avoid placing tissues in them.
❌ From 6pm on 25 March, the transfer stations will … View moreWaste collection services update:
✅ Auckland’s kerbside rubbish, recycling and food scraps collections are considered essential services and will continue as usual.
🤧 Anyone with a food scraps bin should avoid placing tissues in them.
❌ From 6pm on 25 March, the transfer stations will be closed to the general public.
❌ Household on-property inorganics collections beginning 26 March onwards have been postponed for the lockdown period.
Renovate a bland old piece of furniture by giving it a spectacular colour block makeover!
Most homes have an old tallboy or set of drawers that need a little rejuvenation. Rather than put it in the too-hard basket, give your furniture a new lease on life with a fresh Resene paint finish that can … View moreRenovate a bland old piece of furniture by giving it a spectacular colour block makeover!
Most homes have an old tallboy or set of drawers that need a little rejuvenation. Rather than put it in the too-hard basket, give your furniture a new lease on life with a fresh Resene paint finish that can be enjoyed for many years to come.
Make the most of this weekend with this easy step by step project idea from Resene. Find out how to makeover your furniture.
Community food pantries have been advised to close to help contain the spread of coronavirus during …
Neighbourhoods can be a great source of support. Connect with each other through our Reach Out page, show kindness and compassion, and strengthen connections with your communities.
Reach out to your Neighbours here now.
A huge congratulations to Jay & Kusum from Orakei Superette. These local legends are finalists in the Prospa Local Business Hero Awards.
Now they need your vote to give them a chance to take home a prize package worth $10,000!
Good on you, and good luck, Jay & Kusum. Thanks for … View moreA huge congratulations to Jay & Kusum from Orakei Superette. These local legends are finalists in the Prospa Local Business Hero Awards.
Now they need your vote to give them a chance to take home a prize package worth $10,000!
Good on you, and good luck, Jay & Kusum. Thanks for bringing joy to your community - especially in these uncertain times.
***********
Nominated by Jane Macaulay from Orakei: "Part of our lives for so many years. They offer a great business, post centre, the BEST fresh flowers and fruit & veg. I have NEVER known them to take a holiday. Kind and genuinely caring people who add so much to our community. You could not find a better Local Business Hero!"
That's why we've created a whole new section on our website filled with great recipes, gardening tip and lists of helpful apps and entertainment sources - to name a few.
Our 'lifestyle and wellness' section will be updated regularly with great content to keep you entertained … View moreThat's why we've created a whole new section on our website filled with great recipes, gardening tip and lists of helpful apps and entertainment sources - to name a few.
Our 'lifestyle and wellness' section will be updated regularly with great content to keep you entertained whilst we navigate these new times. Grab a cuppa and enjoy.
Good news.
We have managed to go remote with our NZQA fulltime courses! NZSFWLive is our new online learning platform where our tutors live-stream their classes to students at home. The cookery students have been supplied with ingredients, and in some cases, bowls, trays, sieves and pots, so that… View moreGood news.
We have managed to go remote with our NZQA fulltime courses! NZSFWLive is our new online learning platform where our tutors live-stream their classes to students at home. The cookery students have been supplied with ingredients, and in some cases, bowls, trays, sieves and pots, so that they watch the demonstration and then prepare it themselves at home. They then upload a photo of what’s cooked. We are using Google Classrooms and Hangouts to connect.
Here is Chef Finn preparing a cheese soufflé. Click here for the recipe to have a go yourself.
During the #lockdown our premises will remain closed but you can contact us on admin@foodandwine.co.nz
Evie and Blossom the mice were living happily with their owner Amanda Politzer and her eight-year-old daughter Ruby at their Hobsonville Point home until the mouse enclosure was "turned upside down" by a cat about three weeks ago, leaving Evie no where to be found.
The family came to the … View moreEvie and Blossom the mice were living happily with their owner Amanda Politzer and her eight-year-old daughter Ruby at their Hobsonville Point home until the mouse enclosure was "turned upside down" by a cat about three weeks ago, leaving Evie no where to be found.
The family came to the conclusion that if Evie had survived the cat's wrath, they would probably never see her again.
But in a shock turn of events, Evie was found on Thursday by Maddie Rolston, who lives three streets away, or about 150 metres away directly.
"You hear about cats and dogs going and coming back, but you don't hear that with a mouse," Politzer said.
Read the full story below.
A five-bedroom Auckland home has been listed to rent for just $1 for a family stranded by coronaviru…
Dear concerned citizen,
We must now all stay home. Because that’s how we’ll stop the virus.
Level 4 measures will likely be in place for a number of weeks.
Don’t worry. During that time you will still be able to access all the essentials you need, including medicine, food, and other… View moreDear concerned citizen,
We must now all stay home. Because that’s how we’ll stop the virus.
Level 4 measures will likely be in place for a number of weeks.
Don’t worry. During that time you will still be able to access all the essentials you need, including medicine, food, and other home supplies.
ALL THE TIME, NO EXCEPTIONS
It’s incredibly important that we all follow the Level 4 plan, all the time. No exceptions. Because doing so will save lives.
A CHALLENGE FOR EVERYONE
We realise these are big changes. But these are challenging times.
If we don't all stay home, the whole country will need Level 4 restrictions for longer.
SUPPORT OUR EMERGENCY SERVICE PEOPLE
We owe it to the essential services. Our nurses, doctors and everyone else on the frontline. They’re working tirelessly to save lives. We should all do everything in our power to help them do this.
Thank you to each and every person, for doing their bit.
While you’re staying at home:
STAY CONNECTED
• Don’t let physical distance stop you staying connected. Keep in touch with people using video calls, phone calls, chat and texting.
• If you know people who are living alone, vulnerable, or separated from their loved ones, regularly check-in with them.
STAY WELL
• Continue to practice good hygiene – wash your hands with soap. Then dry.
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow.
• Regularly clean surfaces in your home with disinfectant.
• Keep up regular physical exercise, and get some fresh air when possible. It’s good so long as this is solitary, or only with those you live with.
REACH OUT
If you need advice, support or help, try reaching out to friends, family, whānau or workmates.
WE'RE UPDATING INFORMATION CONSTANTLY
For all the latest advice, including answers to your health and financial questions, go to Covid19.govt.nz.
And remember: what you do now, will help protect all of us.
Hi all,
Usually I run a Chess School Holiday Program in Central Auckland but with the lock-down in place me and my fellow coaches have amended this to a number of daily 90 minutes online sessions for as long as the lock-down stays in place. The format will most likely be about 30 minutes of … View moreHi all,
Usually I run a Chess School Holiday Program in Central Auckland but with the lock-down in place me and my fellow coaches have amended this to a number of daily 90 minutes online sessions for as long as the lock-down stays in place. The format will most likely be about 30 minutes of teaching topics like Opening Disasters or Mating Patterns, followed by a tournament. We'll amend this if necessary, this School Holiday format is new to us too!
If you are interested, more info can be found here:
www.chesspower.co.nz...
Cheers
Christoph
FIDE Instructor
It takes an extraordinary situation for Auckland Museum to close its doors to the public. However it has happened before.
In 1918, the Spanish Influenza had arrived on New Zealand's shores. In the Auckland Institute and Museum's 1918-1919 Annual Report, there is a very short reference to… View moreIt takes an extraordinary situation for Auckland Museum to close its doors to the public. However it has happened before.
In 1918, the Spanish Influenza had arrived on New Zealand's shores. In the Auckland Institute and Museum's 1918-1919 Annual Report, there is a very short reference to the epidemic's affect on the Museum:
"The recent epidemic of influenza has greatly affected the attendance at the Museum. In the first place, it necessitated the closing of the Institution from November 3 to December 1, or nearly a full month, and after re-opening it was at least another month before the attendance became normal."
We too, will open again, and while it may take a while to get back to normal, we can get there together.
Let's unite against COVID-19. Kia kaha New Zealand. Stay at home, be calm and be kind. He waka eke noa.
As of tonight at 11:59pm New Zealand will move to a Level 4 alert in response to the #COVID19 pandemic. It will put the entire country on lockdown for four weeks. Here’s what that will mean for us moving forward:
There is a reason Readers Tours attract ‘Adventurous Seniors’.
Our itineraries are bold and colourful, so are our tour guides.
We drive scenic roads and coastal highway and have luxury accommodation waiting after a big day. We offer excursions such as Helicopter rides and guided walks and … View moreThere is a reason Readers Tours attract ‘Adventurous Seniors’.
Our itineraries are bold and colourful, so are our tour guides.
We drive scenic roads and coastal highway and have luxury accommodation waiting after a big day. We offer excursions such as Helicopter rides and guided walks and have everything organised down to the last meal, with free newspapers for a spot of reading or challenging sudoku.
We are passionate about bringing like-minded individuals together to explore this beautiful landscape we call our backyard and are ready to go full steam ahead with our next tour the moment it is safe to do so.
For now, we will continue to bring you stunning photography, travel stories and helpful tips during these unprecedented times.
Our team remains dedicated to helping you, so please pick up the phone or fill out our contact form and we will be in touch. We look forward to you joining us and experiencing New Zealand like never before.
www.readerstours.co.nz... | 0800 0800 99
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